Trump's sobering comments after man due to be executed today given ten minute farewell with family
The people of Iran are looking towards President Donald Trump for help as the country continues to crack down on protestors violently.
More than 18,000 people have been detained in Iran since the country's currency, the Rial, collapsed last week.
There has been significant concern for the welfare of 26-year-old protestor Erfan Soltani, who was arrested last week and told that he would be executed today (14 January), with reports suggesting that he would be granted just 10 minutes to say goodbye to his family.
Soltani's family has urged Trump to step in, after the head of Iran’s judiciary, Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei, announced that anyone who had been detained at demonstrations would be subject to fast trials and executions.
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According to the Human Rights Activists News Agency, over 2,000 people have already been killed after the security forces launched the crackdown, and Soltani may have unfortunately been the latest name on the list, with no update on his situation as the day in Iran draws to a close.
A relative of Soltani, named Somayeh, had personally pleaded with the president to help free her family member, describing him as an 'incredibly kind and warm-hearted young man' who has 'always fought for the freedom of Iran'.
Somayeh told CNN: "Our demand now is that Trump truly stand behind the words he said, because the Iranian people came to the streets based on those statements.
"An unarmed population trusted these words and is now under gunfire. I beg you, please do not let Erfan be executed. Please.
"I cried so much... I keep feeling as if I am in a dream. [Soltani] has always fought for the freedom of Iran, and today we see him standing under the gallows."
Her desperate appeal came in the wake of Trump's vow to 'take very strong action' if Iran started executing 'peaceful protestors'.
He said: "If they do such a thing, we will take very strong action. We don’t want to see what’s happening in Iran happen.
"And you know, if they want to have protests, that’s one thing, when they start killing thousands of people, and now you’re telling me about hanging - we’ll see how that works out for them. It’s not going to work out good."
Speaking on Truth Social, the president also made it clear that he wouldn't be talking with any Iranian officials until the country stops the 'senseless killing of protestors'.
He wrote: “Iranian Patriots, KEEP PROTESTING - TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS!!! Save the names of the killers and abusers. They will pay a big price. I have cancelled all meetings with Iranian Officials until the senseless killing of protesters STOPS. HELP IS ON ITS WAY. MIGA!!!"
Shortly after his statement, Trump also warned the US would act 'accordingly' when it gets a more accurate report on the number of fatalities in the capital of Tehran, and its surrounding provinces.
“The killing looks like it’s significant, but we don’t know yet for certain,” he told reporters at the White House earlier this week (via the BBC).
Trump has previously issued threats of military action on Tehran if his administration finds evidence of deadly force being used against protesters, a line which he believes Iran is 'starting to cross', which has left him and his national security team looking into 'very strong options'.
According to Hengaw Organization, Soltani's family 'learned only days after his arrest that the execution is scheduled to take place this Wednesday', adding: "His family has been denied access to any information regarding the charges, case file, or judicial proceedings."
Human rights lawyer Mohammad Oliaifard told IranWire: “It is legally impossible to arrest someone and execute them within three days.
"Even with a state-appointed lawyer, the absolute minimum for such a process would be ten days. If the individual has an independent lawyer, it would take at least thirty days to account for the legal window for appeals.”
Topics: Iran, Donald Trump
James Moorhouse